Japanese follows English (英文の後に日本語)
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Finally, I would like to show a neighbouring village within walking distance from where I lived. There was the daily life of ordinary people, who warmly welcomed me as a guest even I am a stranger. I could not communicate in the language, but I think I could communicate by other means such as eyes.

Algeria is one of the largest fossil fuel producing countries in the world, and the people who were living there should be more economically blessed. However, in the 1990s, the country experienced several years of quagmire civil war, and after that, it suffered from various problems such as corruption accompanied by the rigidity of the political leadership system. Yet the people I met seemed harmless, generous, friendly, and to enjoy their daily lives. I felt like I was being taught by them what is genuine riches. I could not help feeling that touching the real life of this country reminds me of something important that we Japanese have forgotten.

That is the consistent theme in this series of shots taken in Algeria. In addition, it was simple thought but another thing I wanted to show viewers that it would be good if the negative image had gained as a result of terrorism could be recovered by my photographs, and the viewer could feel familiar with this country a little bit. If such a role is realised through this series, I feel that I would be rewarded which I overcame various hardships being in this country.

最後に，住んでいた場所から歩いて行ける近隣の村の様子をお見せしたいと思う。ここにも普通の人々の日々の暮らしがあり，外国人である僕を暖かく迎え入れてくれた。言葉は通じなかったが，目で通じ合うことができたと思う。

アルジェリアは世界有数の産油国であり，本来であれば国民がもっと経済的に恵まれていても良いはずの国である。しかし90年代，数年にわたる泥沼の内戦を経験し，その後できた政治指導体制の硬直化に伴う腐敗等々，様々な問題を抱えてもがく国。それでも僕が出会った国民は素朴で大らかで気さくで，日々の生活を精一杯満喫しているように見えたのだ。何が本当の豊かさなのだろうかと，彼らから教えられているような気がした。この国のありのままの素顔に触れることで，僕ら日本人が忘れてしまっている大切なことを，思い出させてくれる気がしてならなかった。

それがアルジェリアで撮ったシリーズに流れる一貫したテーマになっている。加えてもう一つ見てもらいたかったことは，テロのせいでついてしまったネガティブなイメージを，写真を通じて身近に感じてもらうことで，少しでも回復できたらいいなというシンプルな思いだった。その役目が果たせたなら，僕がこの国で流した汗も，少しは報われる気がするのだ。